Suddenly and suddenly, black and white Kitty Softpaws opened her blue eyes, the first thing she saw was a steel room lit by a small hanging candle, then she saw three companions staring at her, a black-haired man in a black-yellow uniform, a brown-yellow komodo dragon in a blue jacket and a black a trident behind his back, and a small brownish dog in a sock who stared with his turquoise eyes at his adoptive mother, and when Kitty opened her eyes he began happily licking her head.
- Perrito stop it, run away, stinker, him, Gary. Said Kitty, leaping to her feet, adjusting her green cloak and grabbing the hilt of her short blade.
- what happened there, where am I. Kitty asked, looking around the steel room.
- we are running away from the tyrant, Gary appeared out of nowhere and now he is surely chasing us here, we are currently going down to the bottom of the gold mine. Kevin Jons explained, listening nervously for sounds.
- Kitty, you'd better tell us what's going on with you. Said the Flying Dutchman, kneeling in front of Kitty and looking into her eyes with his blue eyes alert against lies.
- I don't know what's going on, first nausea, then this strange pain, I don't know what's happening to me, I really don't know if it's stress. Kitty said, and the komodo dragon got up and shrugged his shoulders, not seeing the lie in the eyes of his interlocutor Lisowach.
- it's very strange, when it's over, you'll have to be examined by a doctor, it's very strange. Flying Dutchman said.
- strange?, strange is our current situation, was it really a wise idea to escape through the mines. Perrito asked, looking with Kitty now at the two companions, in particular at the dogged archaeologist.
- believe me yes, the mine may be our only way out of the current situation, our second way, I told you that I discovered a crack in the rocks here and behind it, behind this blank wall, there may be a tunnel leading to the second exit. He said Kevin come today he wasn't quite sure about it himself.
- I felt it too, I can feel when underground rivers flow inside the rocks, something is there and I know very well that in the crystal garden water flows from pure rock, this tunnel can lead to one of the rivers, we must try, because outside there Gary has cut us to pieces. Said Flying Dutchman suddenly his ears picked up a strangely disturbing sound, and Kitty, getting up on her even shoes, looked again at the surrounding Jastal.
- So this is the mine. Kitty asked.
- not yet, the elevator leading to the bottom, probably half a kilometer deep, usually takes ten miners or two wagons with gold, about a dozen times a day. Kevin said before being interrupted by a brown-yellow lizard pulling out his black trident.
- quieter, you hear it. Flying Dutchman said.
It was then that a strange sound was heard in the elevator, it cut through the neighboring elevator and it fell into the depths and just behind it there was a kind of momentary laughter, everyone except the dragonfly stepped back and he already knew what was waiting for them there at the very bottom.
- What's going on. Perrito asked, hiding as he always did behind the larger ones.
- it's him, he just damaged the neighboring elevator resting on the bottom, he's surely waiting for us in the mine. Said Flying Dutchman full of anger and anger.
- wait, but why didn't he do it with us, he could easily delete us. Kitty asked, her dagger ready.
- it doesn't matter now, maybe he wants to be a sadist and he'll finish us off personally, it's not the time, it's time to act and fast now listen, we have to trick him and be patient, we'll wait for him, let him come in here and then we'll strike. Said the Flying Dutchman and his plan even made the chute of black and white fur on Kitty's head, Perrito's brown fur under his sock and black hair on Kevin's head.
It was then that the Flying Dutchman slammed his trident into the steel ceiling, cutting through it like a fish wrap.
Meanwhile, Gary Williams landed on the steel elevator with a great bang, this bald man in a white shirt and black pants, with his appearance with a great bang shocked all the miners who were leading two carts with gold on the track, and what was even more shocking for them was that Gary they didn't know him, got up as if nothing had happened, brushed off his white shirt, came down from the broken elevator and when he fainted and saw ten guards, he immediately drew his blades and with one blow and another, with quick swings, he shattered swords and spears to pieces, and the guards in white-blue cuirasses and silver helmets they fell to the ground from the impression and the great impetus and force of the impact that surprised them as much as the terrible weapon emerging from the fist of the stranger from another world, and when there was a momentary silence Gary looked at the great mine, at the great grooved hole where the miners worked.
- amazing, just like in my world. Gary said as he watched the miners on ladders, wooden platforms all around, beating the rock with their pickaxes, chipping off more pieces of gold.
The miners hit the rock with their pickaxes as one organism, dropped successive lumps from wooden platforms straight to the waiting wagons, and three tunnels led from the central grotto to three more similar caves where miners, by the light of oil candles, conducted mining from seven in the morning to eight o'clock just before dusk, dividing for a few shifts, but now, in that one moment, all the work stopped because they all had before them, firstly, a man who smashed the weapons of ten guards with blades from clenched fists, secondly, a man who fell from a great height and emerged unscathed and the evil vek who no longer paid any attention to the kites and watched the approaching elevator from the canopy of rocks and a half-kilometre-deep tunnel.
- Come on, go see daddy. Gary said as he waited for the elevator with blades ready to slice everything up.
Finally, the elevator stopped at the bottom, but surprisingly, its door did not move, Gary laughed ominously and towards the watching miners and guards he approached the door, grabbed the handles and with a strong violent movement opened them, raising his hands in combat form until suddenly his jaw dropped as it turned out, the elevator was empty.
- but how, it's impossible. Gary said as he entered the elevator slowly and carefully.
Suddenly, the elevator door banged shut, Gary looked back at the locked door and screamed in rage, looking also at the ceiling where you could see a cut in the steel and the steel itself bent upwards allowing everyone to escape from inside the trap, Gary screamed furiously and he slashed his blades from his clenched fists, and the Adamant blades easily began to rip open the elevator doors like canned food.
- Villains, cowards, I'll make sprats out of you!. Gary shouted furiously.
Meanwhile, after jumping off the roof of the elevator and closing the door, Kevin waved to his companions, who remained silent for a moment, looking at a large rock chamber full of veins of gold.
- it's amazing, so much gold!. Kitty Softpaws screamed, unable to take her eyes off the precious metal for a moment.
- beautiful. Perrito said.
- and how treacherous, it's a half-guilty element ruling humanity, Greed loves gold and makes people go crazy for it too, I don't know why gold has such a great value. Said the Flying Dutchman, looking around the great cavern until Kevin shouted to everyone but nothing more than the sound of cutting steel.
- stop looking at it like that, now follow me quickly. Kevin said, waking everyone from the momentary lethargy, suddenly three of his friends noticed many miners in their brown clothes staring at them with dropped jaws, and anything that wanted to get out of the closed elevator triggered the highest readiness alarm.
- Kevin, tell us where to go. Kitty asked what the brown-yellow lizard answered first.
- I think there, right tunnel, right.
- exactly Mr. Flying Dutchman, you feel it too, so follow me, quickly!. Kevin shouted, leading everyone into the tunnel on the right, just as the doors of the working elevator were swung open like a can of sardines by blades cutting through the mechanism.
A furious Gary Williams burst out of the elevator, his brown eyes piercing all, the most shocked ten guards who in silent conversation answered the tyrant with one gesture where the escapees had gone, Gary looked into the right tunnel leading to the next chamber and running between the rails for trolleys ran through the three-meter high tunnel.
Meanwhile, Kevin, running at the head, fell into another equally large chamber where the workers were just packing another spoil into four wagons, this sight again made both Kitty and Perrito turn most of their attention to the pieces of gold collected in the iron mining carts, and the brown yellow the monitor growled waking them from their lethargy, they all ran on, as it turned out, the dock of the oil tunnel that Kevin had talked about many times, a tunnel leading deeper and deeper, a tunnel that became more and more humid and ended in one way, a large rock wall.
- no, it's impossible, it's a dead end, Kevin, what did you do best. Kitty said in horror and her shock seemed to deepen when at the end of the tunnel she heard the sound of cutting through rocks from the power of the Adamant blades.
- so that's it, my rivals, ha ha, cha, you will not be able to escape from the dead end. The tyrant's voice echoed, and both Kitty and Perrito squealed against the sodden wall.
- this is it. said Flying Dutchman touching the tunnel wall.
- it's like I said, it's a wall to the adjacent tunnel, right. Kevin asked.
- not quite, it's a wall leading to an underground river, now you may not like what I say and do, but in a moment I will create a breach and collapse the road behind us so that the water does not flood the mine. Said the Flying Dutchman and the vision of being drowned in the depths caused everyone to step back but only for a moment because the voice of the angry tyrant again made them return to their previous position.
- it's madness. Kitty said.
- Tell me what do you prefer Kitty, it's in front of us or him behind us. Flying Dutchman asked and there was only one answer, Kitty Perrito and Kevin looked at each other and nodded their heads if there was a chance to escape and win you had to grab that chance everyone agreed and Flying Dutchman immediately set to work on his plan starting with taking a rope from the archaeologist's backpack, tying three companions around the waist with it and tying everyone to himself.
- now you can start, take a deep breath and head low. The Flying Dutchman said, then as the tyrant's scream got closer and closer, the brown yellow komodo dragon swung his black trident hard against the thick rock wall causing it to crack easily.
Suddenly, gallons of water began pouring down the tunnel, and Gary, running down the path after his prey, was hit by a powerful wave of water that swept him up the tunnel, everything Gary had tried to counter it was thwarted, even the Adamantine blades deeply embedded in the sheer rock unstoppable by the overwhelming power of the water, Gary shot upwards into a great chamber and as he landed in the middle he abruptly stood up with his shirt slightly torn and saw the tunnel full of water begin to collapse and a small amount of broken rock forming a strange mud flowed into the center of the cavern startlingly sewn in more than the fury of a tyrant echoing throughout the mine.
- may you, may you be flooded with excrement!. Gary screamed furiously then knowing what this could mean he started running running through a small tunnel back to the main cavern and the elevator waiting for the miners and the spoil, Gary didn't wait for it to start, Gary would make a great leap, he jumped over the elevator and grabbed the steel rope climbing up half a kilometer up.
- let them be damned, they will pay me for it, how did it happen that they outsmarted me for the second time, if I catch them, I will grind them and eat them myself. Gary said, and a single yellow bullfinch poked out of his nose in rage.
Meanwhile, at the bottom of the mine, as soon as the first crack occurred and the powerful wave of water hit, all that the Flying Dutchman could do was done, with the power of their trident and the power of controlling the water, the Flying Dutchman created a small bubble of air in front of them, covering the terrified and attached comrades and then falling into the water himself, with his black trident stretched out in front of him, he sped on through the water of the underground river and, as the only one, full of his confidence and not paying attention to everything that surrounded him, and what surrounded him was no longer gold, it was something much more valuable.
- amazing, oh it's just amazing. Said the surprised archaeologist Kevin Jons, holding the rope and tail of the lizard, holding Kitty and Perrito under his armpits, the sight that greeted him surprised and focused if everyone, because they had diamonds sticking out around the walls, something that is much more expensive than gold.
- diamonds, these are diamonds, it's hard to believe. Kitty said in surprise, her blue eyes bulging wide.
- an understatement, it is wonderful and beautiful. Said Perrito held under his left armpit.
- and I'm at the end, as usual. Said the Flying Dutchman, holding out his reptilian mouth of water for a moment, painted with melancholy.
- no, it's not like that!, we thank you for everything, you saved us, I don't know how and when I will repay you. Kitty said, taking her eyes off the diamond-filled wall with everyone.
- Me too, please forgive me. Perrito said, wailing slightly in his voice.
- okay okay, no right, if you can do something for me then don't swim in the ocean when your time comes because you know how it works and I haven't had friends in so long and I thank you for that. Said the Flying Dutchman quickly burying his head in the water so that no one would see the tears flowing from his eyes.
Suddenly the underground river became bigger until everything fell into a great gorge leading to the last tunnel but here where the darkness was impenetrable suddenly the crystals started to rush uncontrollably and the water wielding Flying Dutchman immediately felt a great change, suddenly strong currents hit him making his holding on behind him, Kevin, Kitty and Perrito, the rope attached, began to fall off the track and the crystals wandered between them, flying through the air bubble, everything began to rush like the Flying Dutchman trying to regain his balance over the tide, but all he could do was fall into even more strange tremors caused by by himself.
Everything was shaken by the wind-up blow, rushed with increasing speed and burning everything Kitty closed her eyes for a moment as a diamond as big as a clenched fist appeared in front of her, a beautiful white gem that flew in front of her head and waved her white mustache.
- What's going on. Kevin asked in horror as he struggled to hold on to the ropes and tail flowing on his power brown chewing this komodo dragon.
- this is probably an imbalance in this large reservoir, the water went crazy just like the gems plucked from the rocks, attention!. Yelled the Flying Dutchman as he spun around and dragged his three friends behind him who screamed at the top of his voice until a pair of diamonds punctured the air bubble just before the last tunnel on the right, Kitty opening her eyes wide again could only watch as the two larger diamonds hit Kevin and Perrito on the head, depriving Kevin and Perrito their awareness, and when the Flying Dutchman dragging them with his black trident fell into the last tunnel leading up, the last of the jewels bounced through the tunnel itself and hit Kitty on the back of the head, and Kitty turned her head around, looked around until her eyes saw shine.
The glow was momentary and brighter and brighter until more strange images, jewels rushing, everything reflected axes and stopped in the image of a terrible man and his blades, Gary came out of nowhere and suddenly struck, piercing his target, Kitty screamed at the top of her lungs and jumped up violently and her nervously swirling blue eyes scanned the surroundings, strangely, the surroundings were completely different, and even more strangely, when Kitty screamed from the ground, Kevin and Perrito jumped up.
- what happened, where am I. Kitty asked, clutching the back of her head where she had a twisted bandage.
- What is this. Kitty asked, removing the white bandage from her head and staring in surprise at Kevin and Perrito who did exactly the same.
- like, where did this bandage come from, right where are we. Kevin said looking at everything around with his brown eyes.
We seem to be in a very strange place. Perrito said first, realizing that everything around them except the rock wall and the small lake where the water disappeared in another crevice and flowed out from above was all surrounded by something that reflected everyone's images.
- are they crystals. Kitty asked slowly getting up from the ground and looking at the three-colored crystals, most of them turned out to be blue, others were green and a few were navy blue, each of the crystals rose to a height of half a meter and reflected the face of three friends, but that wasn't the most interesting thing today alarming, but lit bonfire, sandwiches lying on the backpack and the lack of their companion.
- what's going on, where is the Flying Dutchman. Kevin asked quickly and the answer didn't have to wait long because a brown-yellow dragon in a blue jacket with a black trident in his hands and this great joy painted on his face came out of a small lake.
- how wonderful it is to feel a little water again, knowing that today nothing threatens us. Said Flying Dutchman looking at the great valley of crystals.
- how is it today, what happened, tell us how long we slept, did you?. Kevin asked, looking at the komodo dragon sitting close to him.
- well, first of all, eat something, and then we'll start looking for Love, I couldn't do it myself, I tried to find her in the morning but I couldn't. Said the Flying Dutchman as he sat down in front of the fire with a sandwich in his hand, but his blue eyes flashed as his scaly paws were caught on either side by Kitty and Perrito.
- tell us what happened to us there in the underground tunnel full of water. He asked Perrito to look at those big turquoise eyes.
- how long we were unconscious, did we lose almost the whole day. Kitty asked, also making big eyes at what the Komodo dragon looked down the great crystal valley, now the only one noticing the beauty of the crystal valley where the colors of the reflected sun reflected from each other creating a real symphony of colors.
- first, you lost consciousness and fell asleep, I pulled you out and bandaged you, but you're fine since you're so dynamic, now it's probably eleven o'clock, before noon, but the most important thing is that we are in the crystal garden, look. Flying Dutchman said, pointing to a crystal valley surrounded by gourds on all sides except one, a small pass.
Everyone seeing the crystal valley full of various colors where blue, green and navy blue reigned supreme, all this created an almost indescribable palette of colors worthy of the greatest artists, all this hit the three friends and their jaws dropped almost to the ground, Perrito his jaw actually dropped on the rocky lands enchanted by the beautiful, unusual place.
- we made it, we made it. Kevin whispered.
- so we're home, we made it before the bully, Gary won't surprise us. Perrito said, picking his jaw up off the ground.
- but we must act quickly and now we must find Love. Kitty said, trying to get up before the brown-yellow lizard stopped everyone handing them a sandwich and telling them to eat, then finishing the meal he looked suspiciously at the valley of crystals.
- it won't be that easy, Love has the ability to become invisible, and you still have to watch out for her medallion, she can charm anyone, but the one who truly loves and is ready to do anything for another person is worthy to find her, come on, I love the sea no I managed to find her but I could hear her breathing, her heartbeat, she is close and surely watching us. Flying Dutchman said.
Kitty ate her sandwich in three big bites, then confidently walked into the depths of the crystal valley, paying no attention to anything but her main goal and the center of the valley where she expected to find the vixen of the power of love, the most powerful of all immortals.
- Kitty, what are you doing, you're crazy. Perrito asked as he ran after his adoptive mother.
- I know what I'm doing if Love is hiding I'll find her I have to find her because he can't win if he, Gary comes here he'll find her even blindly this man is a monster you hear me Love I don't come here out of greed or other nonsense, I want to save you, Death has already felt his power and Gary is coming straight here to destroy your heart, please if you don't listen all will be lost. She said Kitty, still heading towards the center of the Krystal valley, but again only the echo of her own words answered her, and Kevin Perrito and the Flying Dutchman following her, after eating sandwiches, watched the surrounding crystals where only their reflections were visible.
- Please Love, I'm not doing it for myself, I'm doing it for everyone, for the one Puss, he's risking as much today as we are, I'm doing it because I love him, aaaaa. Kitty said as more nausea and a strange stomachache knocked her to her knees.
Seeing the worsening condition of Perrito's adoptive mother, Kevin and Flying Dutchman ran to Kitty who, despite the strange pain, tried to get up and scream.
- Kitty, please let it go, you can't risk it, there's something wrong with you. Kevin said trying to stop the black and white cat but she slapped the archaeologist's hands away and screamed out loud again.
- Even if I had to die, I'll keep looking, you hear. Kitty said in a raised voice.
- you don't have to anymore. Suddenly a soft velvety voice spoke up, suddenly everyone including Kitty looked straight ahead at the image of a fox lady appearing out of nowhere, among the reflections of the crystals.
- Love. She said Kitty looking at the figure of a red fox with a pink belly and pink hair, a fox lady dressed in a blue kimono with white flowers, and her pink eyes as well as the pink heart-shaped diamond around her neck shone with the same brilliance, reflecting Kitty's face.
- you are truly in love and you carry the fruit of this love within you. Love said kneeling in front of Kitty taking her hands in his delicate hands feeling the same warmth and heat as in the reflection of her soul.
- so much in love, you'll do anything for him that's why I'm here, like Perrito protecting you and Flying Dutchman loving the sea, but you, Mr. Kevin, well whatever, you are the most important today. Love said squeezing Kitty's hands as her fur suddenly bristled at Love's revelation about her baby, her and Puss in Boots.
L
Someone like Gary with limited powers will never go down without a fight, but what drives him more is lust for power or fear of failure.